Progressive Metal

Tate, Geoff - Pittsburgh, PA 7/13/2002

Appropriately, Geoff Tate’s solo touring band featured all of the musicians from his new Sanctuary release. C. Fox, Scott Moughton, Evan Schiller, Howard Chilcott, and Jeff Carrell to be exact. Everyone but the Cello player, Tate jokes.

Prior to the start of the tour Tate told TPRS.com that he was "very anxious to go on tour this summer, and really looking forward to it.” Read the complete Tate, Geoff - Pittsburgh, PA 7/13/2002 review...

Levin, Tony - Pittsburgh, PA

With perhaps a record attendance at Rosebud in Pittsburgh’s Strip District, The Tony Levin Band, which also features Jerry Marotta on drums, vocals, and guitar; Jesse Gress on guitars and vocals; and Larry Fast on synthesizer, embarked on an entertaining showcase of talent that lasted well over two hours. Read the complete Levin, Tony - Pittsburgh, PA review...

Shadow Gallery - Legacy

After a decade of discovery and success, Legacy from Shadow Gallery is released to the progressive metal world. The band is lead by Mike Baker, and fueled by a multi-talent group of musicians, namely Brendt Allman (guitars, vocals), Carl Cadden-James (bass, vocals, flute), Chris Ingles (keyboards), Joe Nevolo (drums), and Gary Wehrkamp (guitars, keyboards, vocals, bass). As their biography accurately boasts, this is one band that has taken on a genre filled with similar sounding artists and created a sound of their own. Read the complete Shadow Gallery - Legacy review...

Jordan Rudess - Feeding the Wheel

According to keyboardist Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater), “The wheel, metaphysically, represents life and motion.” Surrounding that theory he has gathered a varied array of guest musicians to complete his solo release entitled Feeding the Wheel. Read the complete Jordan Rudess - Feeding the Wheel review...

Niacin - Time Crunch

Be sure to keep a balanced album collection and discover Niacin's Time Crunch featuring Billy Sheehan (Talas, Mr. Big, Explorers Club), Dennis Chambers (George Clinton, Stanley Clarke), and John Novello (Chick Corea, Andy Summers, John Pattituci). Read the complete Niacin - Time Crunch review...

Niacin - Deep

Niacin, a three-piece, featuring John Novello (Edgar Winter, Chick Corea), Billy Sheehan (Mr. Big, Talas, David Lee Roth) on bass, and Dennis Chambers (Steely Dan, James Brown) on Drums, joins the worlds of jazz, funk, and rock. As their name hints, Niacin (as in the Vitamin B3), brings alive the sound of the B-3 Hammond Organ, which was, according to Sheehan, just as much a part of the music of the 60s and 70s as the Gibson Les Paul or the Fender Strat, and consequently used by the majority of the bands of the era. Read the complete Niacin - Deep review...

Metal Years - Compilation

Spitfire Records attempt to spread the good word of metal finds the label releasing “Metal Massacre” styled releases only by established bands instead of unsigned groups. I always felt Metal Blade did an impressive job of introducing bands in the Metal Massacre series (Versions I through VII at least). Spitfire has culled tracks from bands on labels including Noise, Metal Blade, InsideOut America, Nuclear Blast and Century Media for these compilations. Read the complete Metal Years - Compilation review...

The December People - Sounds Like Christmas

It may sound like Christmas but it also sounds like Yes, Led Zeppelin, Queen, and Pink Floyd among others. It’s what The December People call bringing a contemporary sound to holiday music. While this is the ninth album by the band, it is their first with Magna Carta, who has recently signed them for a ten-year contract. Read the complete The December People - Sounds Like Christmas review...

FLOWER KINGS - Rain Maker

Ever prolific, Sweden’s The Flower Kings return with their 6th studio CD, "Te Rain Maker", consisting of over 70 minutes of spiraling classic rock progressive arrangements. This disc kicks off with a grand introductory opus, "Last Minute On Earth" that lyrically offers a relevant theme to ponder. I love the drastic change that occurs with approx. 6 minutes to go, Jamie Salazar offers some tasty contrast in his drumming that allow Tomas Bodin and Roine Stolt to unleash some inspired soloing. Read the complete FLOWER KINGS - Rain Maker review...

ENCHANT - Blink Of An Eye

Blink of an Eye from Enchant is another finely crafted release melodic metal crossed with progressive rock. Vocalist Ted Leonard reminds me of one-time KANSAS lead vocalist John Elefante and Monolith era KANSAS musically. "Under Fire" is a mid-tempo track that allows you to settle gently into the album. "Monday" is a musically more adventurous track that continues in the mid-tempo vein. Guitarist Doug Ott once again lays down intricate guitar riffs without an abundance of flash. Read the complete ENCHANT - Blink Of An Eye review...

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